248. The Astrology of January-April 2026 with Mara Smith (Unedited)

In this episode, I share an unedited version of my conversation with astrologer and musician Mara Smith about the astrology of 2026, focused on the first four months of the year from January through April. We recorded this at the start of the year, and I’m excited to offer it here in a form that preserves the spontaneity, thinking-on-our-feet energy, and insight of our original exchange.I love exploring astrology as a lens not just to anticipate what may unfold, but also to reflect back on lived experience. And now that this first stretch of 2026 has passed, I invite you to listen with your own experience in mind and consider how our delineations and predictions resonate with what you lived through.Mara and I explored the year’s opening tone, including the powerful “cazimi town” feel of January, with Venus leading the way through Capricorn alongside the Sun and Mars. We also talked about the clarifying but not always comfortable quality of the early-year transits, and the major threshold moment of Saturn and Neptune entering Aries, which shifts the energy from preparation into action.Overall, this conversation points to a year that begins with structure being challenged and rebuilt, asking us to move with more intention, courage, and willingness to act before everything feels fully settled. I hope this episode offers something useful for your process and deepens your understanding of the first part of the year.Resources and Links* Support the podcast on Substack here* Apply to work with Jonathan here* Visit Mara’s website: www.lizziesgriffs.com for current offerings and connect with her on IG @finfeathermusic and @lizzies_griffs* Try the breathwork and meditation app Open for 30 days free here* Join the waitlist for Venus & Mars, a 3-month alchemical immersion to rekindle your inner flame and fall back in love with your life here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonathankoeofficial.substack.com/subscribe